SAM McKEWON
Omaha World-Herald
Watch now: Huskers' Ireland trip by the numbers
DUBLIN — A hard day, followed by fresh legs and a fun day for the defense.Â
Nebraska's football team powered through its jet lag on Tuesday — conducting a brisk practice and staying up all day instead of letting players take a nap — before going to bed around 10 p.m. Players awoke Wednesday around 8 a.m. — what would be 2 a.m. in Nebraska — better acclimated to the time change.Â
On Wednesday, offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, NU's entire operation was much smoother.Â
"I asked the quarterbacks today, 'How'd you guys feel?' and it was, 'Oh man, we've never been so tired,'" Whipple said. "We just got them a little bit of a sweat. Today started a little slow and then we had a really good practice. That's just part of it."Â
The Blackshirts tradition is part of Nebraska football, too. And this year, nine were hanging in players' lockers at Aviva Stadium.Â
"It's a really cool experience," said inside linebacker Luke Reimer, who got one for the second straight year. "... It's just something that you just keep forever."Â
Reimer admitted the ceremony was in more of a minor key — no Husker legends handing out the jerseys — which fit the theme of NU's 2022 season opener. It's different.Â
"Yesterday was a pretty rough day," Reimer said. "They were supposed to do that to us — make us tired so we could sleep good last night, a full eight hours in bed. I slept real good last night, but it's still a process. I still want another night's rest... it was a tough flight, but (Northwestern) has gotta do it, too."
Nebraska practiced roughly two hours at a practice field outside of Aviva Stadium — no one can step on the grass inside the stadium, and the grounds crew was leery to let anyone within a yard of it — and will conduct a shorter workout on Thursday. Whipple said he wants the quarterbacks to "clean up" a few "mental mistakes" from the Wednesday workout. NU QBs will work on third down and red zone packages as the week goes on, too.Â
"Taking care of the football and being a leader — but the leadership comes from your play and not from your mouth," Whipple said. "There's going to be a bump in the road, there's going to be something that happens. It always does in the first game. As coaches you like to have everything planned, but very rarely does it happen in the first game. I've been on both ends of it.Â
"Get out of the first quarter without giving the game away, really. Then settle in. That's kind of how we've been in our scrimmages throughout the spring and fall. I certainly would like to change it - would like to start with a touchdown on the first drive, so we'll see how that plays out."Â
More quick notes from NU's chat inside Aviva Stadium:
* Defensive coordinator Erik Chinander lauded all the work that game and Husker staff have done to prepare the team for Saturday. Chinander said the run-up to the game has been different from a home game or a bowl game. He didn't get to see the Blackshirt tradition unfold because he was on a different bus.
* Chinander said Marques Buford, who got a Blackshirt on Wednesday, can play corner or safety and "has done everything right" at both positions.Â
* Colton Feist, a walk-on from Yutan, was one of Chinander's personal favorite Blackshirts to award.Â
"He's had to work hard at it, he's done it the hard way, and he's kept fighting, he kept getting better, he kept grinding," Chinander said. "He's really proved that he belongs and he's proved that he should be out there with the 1s."
* Nebraska's coaches box is located closer to an end zone than midfield, which will provide a new vantage, Chinander said, who prefers the midfield spot typically found at midfield.Â
* NU running back Gabe Ervin — likely to play early on Saturday — made no bones about what he'd like NU's offensive identity to be.Â
"We're here to compete, we're here to run the ball downhill," Ervin said when asked about the running back room. "Down your throat, each and every play we get the ball because that's what we need to do. We have a chip on our shoulder in that running back room."Â
* Whipple said he came to Ireland four years ago on a golfing trip, and joked that he drank enough Guinness then to more than make up for it on this trip.Â
Photos: Nebraska in Ireland for season opener
Balloons welcome travelers at the airport ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin on Tuesday.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Nebraska fans and other tourists walk near Dublin Castle ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin on Tuesday.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
The River Liffey as Nebraska fans arrive ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin on Tuesday.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
A bird flies over the River Liffey as Nebraska fans arrive ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin on Tuesday.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Graeme Derham of Dublin performs in the Temple Bar district Tuesday as Nebraska fans and other tourists arrive ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Signs welcomes Nebraska and Northwestern fans arriving ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin on Tuesday.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Saint Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin on Tuesday.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
The Temple Bar district as Nebraska fans and other tourists arrive ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin on Tuesday.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Husker, Wildcat, Irish and American flags fly over a bar in Dublin on Tuesday as fans arrive in advance of Saturday's Aer Lingus College Football Classic.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Signs welcome Nebraska and Northwestern fans arriving ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin on Tuesday.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
The courtyard at Dublin Castle in Dublin on Tuesday.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin on Tuesday.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
The Temple Bar in Dublin on Tuesday.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Balloons welcome travelers at the airport ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin on Tuesday.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
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Bridges over the River Liffey as the sun begins to set in Dublin on Tuesday.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Shadows and people as the sun begins to set Tuesday in Dublin.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts and his wife, Angela, arrive for a welcome dinner at Mansion House on Tuesday in Dublin.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Nebraska players arrive for a welcome dinner at Mansion House on Tuesday in Dublin.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Nebraska players Alante Brown (left) and Kamonte Grimes arrive for a welcome dinner at Mansion House on Tuesday in Dublin.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Husker linemen Brant Banks (from left), Hunter Anthony and Teddy Prochazka chat with coach Scott Frost as they arrive for a welcome dinner at Mansion House on Tuesday in Dublin.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Casey Thompson (11) and other Nebraska players arrive for a welcome dinner at Mansion House on Tuesday in Dublin.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Nebraska coach Scott Frost arrives for a welcome dinner at Mansion House on Tuesday in Dublin.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Jay Terry, Nebraska assistant athletic director for equipment operations, arrives for a welcome dinner at Mansion House on Tuesday in Dublin. Terry spent months preparing for the Huskers' overseas trip to face Northwestern.
ANNA REED, WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska players Travis Vokolek (from left), Ezra Miller and Chris Hickman arrive for a welcome dinner at Mansion House on Tuesday in Dublin.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Nebraska defensive coordinator Erik Chinander arrives for a welcome dinner at Mansion House on Tuesday in Dublin.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Eteva Mauga-Clements (front) and other Nebraska players arrive for a welcome dinner at Mansion House on Tuesday in Dublin.
ANNA REED, WORLD-HERALD
Scott Frost, Huskers head coach, and Nebraska players arrive for a welcome dinner ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland on Tuesday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Defensive players arrive for a welcome dinner ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland on Tuesday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Trev Alberts, the Nebraska athletic director, and Angela, his wife, arrive alongside players for a welcome dinner ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland on Tuesday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska players Travis Vokolek (83), Ezra Miller (66), Chris Hickman (87) arrive for a welcome dinner ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland on Tuesday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska players walk to the edge of the field at Aviva Stadium following Wednesday's practice ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.
ANNA REED, WORLD-HERALD
Gabe Ervin Jr., (22) speaks following a Husker practice ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Wednesday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Aviva Stadium ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic with Nebraska vs. Northwestern in Dublin, Ireland on Wednesday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Ty Robinson (99) speaks following a Husker practice ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Wednesday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Luke Reimer (28) speaks following a Husker practice ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Wednesday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Mark Whipple, offensive coordinator for Nebraska, speaks following a Husker practice ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Wednesday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
A crew members cleans between seats at Aviva Stadium ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic with Nebraska vs. Northwestern in Dublin, Ireland on Wednesday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska's Travis Vokolek (83) smiles during a Husker practice Thursday near Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Nebraska edge rusher Garrett Nelson (44) signals to his teammates during practice Thursday near Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Nebraska quarterback Chubba Purdy (6) and the Huskers practice Thursday near Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Nebraska linebacker Nick Henrich (42) dances during practice Thursday near Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Nebraska practices Thursday near Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Nebraska quarterbacks Chubba Purdy (left) and Casey Thompson warm up during practice Thursday near Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
The Huskers practice Thursday near Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Nebraska defensive back Quinton Newsome is shown during practice Thursday near Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Nebraska edge rusher Garrett Nelson (44) is shown during practice Thursday near Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Nebraska defensive lineman Ty Robinson (99) and the Huskers practice Thursday near Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Nebraska quarterback Casey Thompson (11) and the Huskers practice Thursday near Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Nebraska defensive back Myles Farmer (4) and the Huskers practice Thursday near Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
A Nebraska lineman tries to catch a ball with one hand during practice Thursday near Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Nebraska strength & conditioning coach Zach Duval shown during practice Thursday in Dublin.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Nebraska coach Scott Frost speaks to the media Thursday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Nebraska coach Scott Frost speaks inside Aviva Stadium after practice Thursday.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
An Aviva Stadium worker paints football field lines on the grass Thursday in Dublin.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
An outside view of Aviva Stadium, where Nebraska will play Northwestern in the Aer Lingus Classic on Saturday.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
A you fans takes a photo as thousands attend a Husker pep rally ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Merrion Square Park in Dublin, Ireland on Friday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Jason Thomsen, of Elkhorn, Neb., cheers alongside thousands during a Husker pep rally ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Merrion Square Park in Dublin, Ireland on Friday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
People walk through a tour at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, Ireland, on Thursday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Jonathan Santana, a visitor experience ambassador, pours a pint during a tour at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, Ireland, on Thursday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
A view of Dublin, Ireland, from the top of the Guinness Storehouse on Thursday. Aviva Stadium can be seen in the distance. The stadium is where Nebraska and Northwestern will play Saturday in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Thousands attend a Husker pep rally ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Merrion Square Park in Dublin, Ireland on Friday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
A pint at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, Ireland, on Thursday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Scott Frost, the Nebraska head football coach, leads some players onto the stage as thousands attend a Husker pep rally ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Merrion Square Park in Dublin, Ireland on Friday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Donna Berryman, of Bellevue, Neb., cheers alongside thousands during a Husker pep rally ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Merrion Square Park in Dublin, Ireland on Friday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Thousands attend a Husker pep rally ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Merrion Square Park in Dublin, Ireland on Friday.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Thousands attend a Husker pep rally ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Merrion Square Park in Dublin, Ireland on Friday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Meabh Corcoran, 5, of Dublin, watches as the Cornhusker marching band perform during a Husker pep rally ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Merrion Square Park in Dublin, Ireland on Friday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Herbie Husker leads fans in a chant as thousands attend a Husker pep rally ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Merrion Square Park in Dublin, Ireland on Friday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Thousands attend a Husker pep rally ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Merrion Square Park in Dublin, Ireland on Friday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
The Cornhusker marching band performs as thousands attend a Husker pep rally ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Merrion Square Park in Dublin, Ireland on Friday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
People walk through a tour at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, Ireland, on Thursday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Trev Alberts, the Nebraska athletic director, takes a photo as thousands attend a Husker pep rally ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic at Merrion Square Park in Dublin on Friday.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Fans stretch all the way to the back fence as thousands attend a Husker pep rally ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Merrion Square Park in Dublin, Ireland on Friday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Charles and Charlene Tilson, of Elwood, Neb., received a signed football to congratulate them on 50 years of marriage during a Husker pep rally ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Merrion Square Park in Dublin, Ireland on Friday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Thousands attend a Husker pep rally ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Merrion Square Park in Dublin, Ireland on Friday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
A pint at the Guinness Storehouse with a view of Dublin, Ireland, on Thursday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Trev Alberts, the Nebraska athletic director, speaks as thousands attend a Husker pep rally ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Merrion Square Park in Dublin, Ireland on Friday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
A fan holds out Flat Herbie for a photo as thousands attend a Husker pep rally ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Merrion Square Park in Dublin, Ireland on Friday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
The spirit squad performs as thousands attend a Husker pep rally ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Merrion Square Park in Dublin, Ireland on Friday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Husker players smile on stage as thousands attend a Husker pep rally ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Merrion Square Park in Dublin, Ireland on Friday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
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